FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technical field of refrigeration equipment, and
more particularly to a six-way directional valve, an outdoor unit for an air conditioner
having the same and an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In related technologies, two four-way directional valves are usually connected in
series in an air conditioner to achieve directional circulation of the refrigerant
in the air conditioner. However, installing the two four-way directional valves in
series increases the cost of the directional valve.
SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one of the problems
existing in the related art to at least some extent. For that reason, the present
disclosure provides a six-way directional valve, which may reduce the cost of the
directional valve to some extent.
[0004] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit for an
air conditioner, and the outdoor unit includes the above-mentioned six-way directional
valve.
[0005] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner including
the above-mentioned outdoor unit.
[0006] The six-way directional valve according to the present disclosure includes a valve
body, the valve body defining a valve cavity therein, the valve cavity having a first
side wall and a second side wall disposed oppositely to each other, the valve body
being provided with a first connecting pipe to a sixth connecting pipe; a valve spool,
movably disposed in the valve cavity, in which two valve chambers are defined between
two moving ends of the valve spool and an inner circumferential wall of the valve
cavity, so that the valve spool is driven to move by a pressure difference between
the two valve chambers, a first chamber is defined between the valve spool and the
first side wall, a second chamber is defined between the valve spool and the second
side wall, a third chamber is defined between the valve spool, the first side wall
and the second side wall, the first connecting pipe is normally communicated with
the first chamber, the second connecting pipe is normally communicated with the second
chamber, the valve spool moves so that one of the third connecting pipe and the fourth
connecting pipe is communicated with the first chamber and the other one is communicated
with the third chamber, and one of the fifth connecting pipe and the sixth connecting
pipe is communicated with the second chamber and the other one is communicated with
the third chamber; and a pilot valve assembly, communicated with the two valve chambers,
so as to switch pressures in the two valve chambers.
[0007] The six-way directional valve according to the present disclosure is provided with
the first connecting pipe to the sixth connecting pipe, and the valve spool is movably
disposed in the valve cavity to achieve a directional control function of the six-way
directional valve, thus avoiding the use of a plurality of four-way valves in an outdoor
unit to achieve the same effect as the six-way directional valve, reducing the cost
of the directional valve to some extent and simplifying the connection of pipes in
the outdoor unit.
[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first connecting pipe,
the third connecting pipe and the fourth connecting pipe are respectively disposed
to the first side wall, and the second connecting pipe, the fifth connecting pipe
and the sixth connecting pipe are respectively disposed to the second side wall.
[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve spool includes: two barrier
blocks spaced apart from each other, the two valve chambers being defined between
the two barrier blocks and the inner circumferential wall of the valve cavity respectively;
and a sliding block, disposed between the two barrier blocks and connected to the
two barrier blocks through a connecting rod, the first chamber being defined between
the sliding block and the first side wall, the second chamber being defined between
the sliding block and the second side wall, and the third chamber being defined between
the sliding block, two connecting rods, the two barrier blocks and the inner circumferential
wall of the valve cavity.
[0010] Optionally, the two barrier blocks, the sliding block and the two connecting rods
are an integrally formed member.
[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve body has a circular
cross section.
[0012] The outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to the present disclosure has an
outdoor unit output port and an outdoor unit input port, and the outdoor unit includes
a compressor, having an air exhaust port and an air return port; the above-mentioned
six-way directional valve, the first connecting pipe being connected to the air exhaust
port, the second connecting pipe being connected to the air return port, the third
connecting pipe being connected to the outdoor unit output port, and the fifth connecting
pipe being connected to the outdoor unit input port; and an outdoor heat exchanger,
having both ends respectively connected to the fourth connecting pipe and the sixth
connecting pipe.
[0013] The outdoor unit according to the present disclosure is provided with the above-mentioned
six-way directional valve, thus reducing the cost of the outdoor unit at least to
some extent, simplifying the connection of pipes in the outdoor unit, optimizing a
structure of the outdoor unit, and improving the connection reliability of the outdoor
unit.
[0014] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned
outdoor unit.
[0015] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure is provided with the above-mentioned
outdoor unit, thus not only reducing the cost of the air conditioner to some extent,
but also simplifying the connection of the pipes in the outdoor unit, optimizing the
structure of the outdoor unit, and improving the connection reliability of the outdoor
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a six-way directional valve according to embodiments
of the present disclosure before directional control;
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the six-way directional valve after directional control;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit for an air conditioner according
to embodiments of the present disclosure when it heats;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit for an air conditioner according
to embodiments of the present disclosure when it refrigerates.
Reference numerals:
[0017]
outdoor unit for an air conditioner 1000;
six-way directional valve 100; valve body 1; first side wall 11; second side wall
12; first connecting pipe A; second connecting pipe B; third connecting pipe C; fourth
connecting pipe D; fifth connecting pipe E; sixth connecting pipe F; valve spool 2;
first chamber 21; second chamber 22; third chamber 23; barrier block 24; sliding block
25; connecting rod 26; valve chamber 3; pilot valve assembly 4; valve cavity 5;
outdoor unit output port 200;
outdoor unit input port 300;
compressor 400; air exhaust port 401; air return port 402;
outdoor heat exchanger 500;
L left; R right;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments
described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used
to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed
to limit the present disclosure.
[0019] In the specification, unless specified or limited otherwise, relative terms such
as "central", "longitudinal", "lateral", "front", "rear", "right", "left", "inner",
"outer", "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "up", "top",
"bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly",
etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown
in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and do not require that the present disclosure be constructed or operated in a particular
orientation.
[0020] In the description of the present disclosure, unless specified or limited otherwise,
the terms "mounted," "connected," and "coupled" and variations thereof should be used
broadly and encompass such as mechanical or electrical mountings, connections and
couplings, also can be inner mountings, connections and couplings of two components,
and further can be direct and indirect mountings, connections, and couplings, which
can be understood by those skilled in the art according to the detail embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0021] A six-way directional valve 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in the following with reference to drawings, which may be applied
to an outdoor unit for an air conditioner 1000, when the outdoor unit 1000 and an
indoor unit for an air conditioner together form an air conditioner, the six-way directional
valve 100 can control directions in the air conditioner to achieve a switch between
different modes, so as to facilitate adjusting a flowing direction of a refrigerant
in a refrigerant flow path.
[0022] As shown in Figs. 1-2, the six-way directional valve 100 according to the embodiments
of the present disclosure may include a valve body 1, a valve spool 2 and a pilot
valve assembly 4. In which, the valve body 1 defines a valve cavity 5 therein, the
valve cavity 5 has a first side wall 11 and a second side wall 12 disposed oppositely
to each other, the valve body 1 is provided with a first connecting pipe A, a second
connecting pipe, a third connecting pipe, a fourth connecting pipe, a fifth connecting
pipe and a sixth connecting pipe F, the first connecting pipe A to the sixth connecting
pipe F may be respectively communicated with other pipes in the outdoor unit 1000,
so as to facilitate the circulation of the refrigerant.
[0023] The valve spool 2 is movably disposed in the valve cavity 5, that is, the valve spool
2 is movable in the valve cavity 5. Therefore, by moving the valve spool 2 in the
valve cavity 5, a directional control function of the six-way directional valve 100
may be achieved, thus achieving the directional circulation of the refrigerant in
the air conditioner.
[0024] Two valve chambers 3 are defined between two moving ends of the valve spool 2 and
an inner circumferential walls of the valve cavity 5, so that the valve spool 2 is
allowed to be driven to move by a pressure difference between the two valve chambers
3, that is, the movement of the valve spool 2 in the valve cavity 5 is driven by the
pressure difference of the two valve chambers 3. Specifically, when the pressure in
one valve chamber 3 of the two valve chambers 3 is relatively higher, the valve spool
2 is allowed to move towards the other valve chamber 3 which has a relatively lower
pressure therein, eventually a pressure balance is reached, thus moving the valve
spool 2 by this manner, thereby achieving the directional control function of the
six-way directional valve 100.
[0025] The pilot valve assembly 4 is connected to the two valve chambers 3, so as to switch
pressures in the two valve chambers 3. Optionally, the pilot valve assembly 4 may
be connected to the two valve chambers 3 by a capillary tube, so as to switch the
pressures in the two valve chambers 3. For example, when the air conditioner needs
to be switched between a refrigeration mode and a heating mode, the pilot valve assembly
4 switches the pressures in the two valve chambers 3, the valve spool 2 is allowed
to move towards the valve chamber 3 having a lower pressure, thus achieving the directional
control of the six-way directional valve 100, and changing the circulation direction
of the refrigerant by this, thereby achieving a refrigeration function or heating
function of the air conditioner.
[0026] A first chamber 21 is defined between the valve spool 2 and the first side wall 11,
a second chamber 22 is defined between the valve spool 2 and the second side wall
12, and a third chamber 23 is defined between the valve spool 2, the first side wall
11 and the second side wall 12. The first connecting pipe A is normally communicated
with the first chamber 21, and the second connecting pipe B is normally communicated
with the second chamber 22. That is, no matter whether a direction of the six-way
directional valve 100 is controlled or not, the first connecting pipe A is always
communicated with the first chamber 21, and the second connecting pipe B is always
communicated with the second chamber 22.
[0027] The valve spool 2 moves so that one of the third connecting pipe C and the fourth
connecting pipe D is communicated with the first chamber 21, and the other one is
communicated with the third chamber 23. One of the fifth connecting pipe E and the
sixth connecting pipe F is communicated with the second chamber 22, and the other
one is communicated with the third chamber 23. That is, when the valve spool 2 moves
so that the third connecting pipe C is communicated with the first chamber 21, the
fourth chamber D and the fifth chamber E are communicated with the third chamber 23,
and the sixth connecting pipe F is communicated with the second chamber 22. When the
valve spool 2 moves so that the fourth connecting pipe D is communicated with the
first chamber 21, the third connecting pipe C and the sixth connecting pipe F are
communicated with the third chamber 23, and the fifth connecting pipe E is communicated
with the second chamber 22.
[0028] Specifically, the pilot valve assembly 4 switches the pressures in the two valve
chambers 3, so that the valve spool 2 moves towards the valve chamber 3 having a lower
pressure. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, when the valve spool 2 moves to the left,
no direction control is carried out on the six-way directional valve 100, at this
moment, the first connecting pipe A and the third connecting pipe C are communicated
with the first chamber 21, the second connecting pipe B and the sixth connecting pipe
F are communicated with the second chamber 22, and the fourth connecting pipe D and
the fifth connecting pipe E are communicated with the third chamber 23. When the valve
spool 2 moves to the right, direction control is carried out on the six-way directional
valve 100, at this moment, the first connecting pipe A and the fourth connecting pipe
D are communicated with the first chamber 21, the second connecting pipe B and the
fifth connecting pipe E are communicated with the second chamber 22, and the third
connecting pipe C and the sixth connecting pipe F are communicated with the third
chamber 23. It should be understood that, description of left and right movements
of the valve spool 2 are just explanatory description according to Fig. 1-Fig. 2,
and shall not be construed as a limit to the valve spool 2. In order to facilitate
the description, the movements of the valve spool 2 mentioned in below are all explanatively
described by the left or right movement.
[0029] It should be noted that, for facilitating clearly describing the directional principle
of the six-way directional valve 100, the six-way directional valve 100 will be described
in the following accompanying an indoor unit for an air conditioner and an air conditioner.
[0030] The outdoor unit 1000 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has
an outdoor unit output port 200 and an outdoor unit input port 300, and the indoor
unit is connected between the outdoor unit output port 200 and the outdoor unit input
port 300. The outdoor unit 1000 may include a compressor 400, the above-mentioned
six-way directional valve 100 and an outdoor heat exchanger 500.
[0031] Specifically, the compressor 400 has an air exhaust port 401 and an air return port
402, the refrigerant enters the compressor 400 via the air return 402 and has a high
temperature and high pressure after being compressed by the compressor 400, and then
is exhausted from the air exhaust port 401. It should be noted that, structures and
operation principles of the compressor 400 are both existing technologies, which will
not be described in detail herein.
[0032] The first connecting pipe A is connected to the air exhaust port 401, the second
connecting pipe B is connected to the air return port 402, the third connecting pipe
C is connected to the outdoor unit output port 200, and the fifth connecting pipe
E is connected to the outdoor unit input port 300, thus making the six-way directional
valve 100 communicate with the refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit 1000, so
as to facilitate the switch of the flowing direction of the refrigerant.
[0033] Two ends of the outdoor heat exchanger 500 are connected to the fourth connecting
pipe D and the sixth connecting pipe F respectively, thus connecting the outdoor heat
exchanger 500 in the refrigerant circulation path, so that the refrigerant flows through
the outdoor heat exchanger 500 to exchange heat with the outdoor environment.
[0034] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, when the air conditioner is in the heating
mode, the pilot valve assembly 4 switches the pressures in the two valve chambers
3, so that the valve spool 2 moves to the left, at the moment the first connecting
pipe A and the third connecting pipe C are communicated with the first chamber 21,
the second connecting pipe B and the sixth connecting pipe F are communicated with
the second chamber 22, and the fourth connecting pipe D and the fifth connecting pipe
E are communicated with the third chamber 23. The refrigerant having a high pressure
and high temperature exhausted from the exhaust port 401 of the compressor 400 enters
the first chamber 21 through the first connecting pipe A, then flows out from the
third connecting pipe C to the indoor unit through the outdoor unit output port 200,
and exchanges heat with the indoor environment in the indoor unit. The refrigerant
exhausted from the indoor unit enters the third chamber 23 through the outdoor unit
input port 300 and the fifth connecting pipe E, subsequently flows out from the fourth
connecting pipe D to the outdoor heat exchanger 500, and exchanges heat with the outdoor
environment in the outdoor heat exchanger 500. Then the refrigerant enters the second
chamber 22 through the sixth connecting pipe F after flowing out from the outdoor
heat exchanger 500, then flows out through the second connecting pipe B, and returns
to the compressor 400 through the air return port 402 of the compressor 400. The refrigerant
circulates like this to form the heating circulation.
[0035] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, when the air conditioner is in the refrigeration mode,
the pilot valve assembly 4 switches the pressures in the two valve chambers 3, so
that the valve spool 2 moves to the right, at the moment the first connecting pipe
A and the fourth connecting pipe D are communicated with the first chamber 21, the
second connecting pipe B and the fifth connecting pipe E are communicated with the
second chamber 22, and the third connecting pipe C and the sixth connecting pipe F
are communicated with the third chamber 23. The refrigerant having a high pressure
and high temperature exhausted from the exhaust port 401 of the compressor 400 enters
the first chamber 21 through the first connecting pipe A, then flows out from the
fourth connecting pipe D, enters the outdoor heat exchanger 500, and exchanges heat
with the outside environment in the outdoor heat exchanger 500. The refrigerant enters
into the third chamber 23 through the sixth connecting pipe F after flowing out from
the outdoor heat exchanger 500, subsequently flows out from the third connecting pipe
C to the indoor unit through the outdoor unit output port 200, and exchanges heat
with the indoor environment in the indoor unit. The refrigerant flowing out from the
indoor unit enters the second chamber 22 through the outdoor unit input port 300 and
the fifth connecting pipe E, then flows out from the second connecting pipe B, and
returns to the compressor 400 through the air return port 402 of the compressor 400.
The refrigerant circulates like this to form the refrigeration circulation.
[0036] The six-way directional valve 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
is provided with the first connecting pipe A to the sixth connecting pipe F, and the
valve spool 2 is movably disposed in the valve cavity 5 to achieve the directional
control function of the six-way directional valve 100, thus avoiding the use of a
plurality of four-way valves in the outdoor unit 1000 for an air conditioner to achieve
the same effect as the six-way directional valve 100, which reduces the cost of the
directional valve to some extent and simplifies the connection of the pipes in the
outdoor unit 1000 for an air conditioner.
[0037] The outdoor unit 1000 for an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present
disclosure is provided with the above-mentioned six-way directional valve 100, thus
reducing the cost of the outdoor unit 1000 at least to some extent, simplifying the
connection of the pipes in the outdoor unit 1000, optimizing a structure of the outdoor
unit 1000, and improving connection reliability of the outdoor unit 1000.
[0038] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first connecting pipe
A, the third connecting pipe C and the fourth connecting pipe D are disposed to the
first side wall 11, and the second connecting pipe B, the fifth connecting pipe E
and the sixth connecting pipe F are disposed to the second side wall 12, thus facilitating
communications between the first connecting pipe A to the sixth connecting pipe F
and the corresponding first chamber 21 to the third chamber 23 respectively, so as
to achieve the directional control of the six-way directional valve 100.
[0039] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve spool 2 includes two barrier
blocks 24 spaced apart from each other and a sliding block 25. In which, two valve
chambers 3 are defined between the two barrier blocks 24 and the circumferential wall
of the valve cavity 5, thereby facilitating movement of the valve spool 2 to achieve
the directional control of the six-way directional valve 100, and changing the flowing
direction of the refrigerant in the air conditioner.
[0040] The sliding block 25 is disposed between the two barrier blocks 24, the sliding block
25 is connected to the two barrier blocks 24 through a connecting rod 26, the first
chamber 21 is defined between the sliding block 25 and the first side wall 11, the
second chamber 22 is defined between the sliding block 25 and the second side wall
12, and the third chamber 23 is defined between the sliding block 25, two connecting
rods 26, the two barrier blocks 24 and the inner circumferential wall of the valve
cavity 5. Specifically, after the pilot valve assembly 4 switches the pressures in
the two valve chambers 3, the valve chamber 3 having a higher pressure drives the
barrier blocks 24 and the barrier blocks 24 drive the sliding block 25 to move towards
the valve chamber 3 having a lower pressure, so that the first chamber 21, the second
chamber 22 and the third chamber 23 are communicated with the corresponding first
connecting pipe to the sixth connecting pipe A-F respectively, thereby achieving the
directional control of the six-way directional valve 100, thus adjusting the flowing
direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path.
[0041] Optionally, the two barrier blocks 24, the sliding block 25 and the two connecting
rods 26 are configured as an integrally formed member, thus not only facilitating
the production, processing and manufacturing of the barrier blocks 24, the sliding
block 25 and the two connecting rods 26, but also saving the production cost of the
valve spool 2, in the meanwhile the connection strength between the barrier blocks
24, the sliding block 25 and the two connecting rods 26 may be improved to some extent,
and the service life of the valve 2 can be prolonged.
[0042] Optionally, the valve body 1 has a circular cross section, thereby facilitating the
communication between the six-way directional valve 100 and other pipes in the outdoor
unit 1000 for an air conditioner.
[0043] The air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes the
above-mentioned outdoor unit 1000.
[0044] The air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure is provided
with the above-mentioned outdoor unit 1000, thus not only reducing the cost of the
air conditioner to some extent, but also simplifying the connection of pipes in the
outdoor unit 1000, optimizing a structure of the outdoor unit 1000, and improving
the connection reliability of the outdoor unit 1000.
[0045] In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, a structure in which
a first feature is "on" or "below" a second feature may include an embodiment in which
the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include
an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in direct
contact with each other, but are contacted via an additional feature formed therebetween.
Furthermore, a first feature "on," "above," or "on top of' a second feature may include
an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely "on," "above," or "on
top of' the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher
than that of the second feature; while a first feature "below," "under," or "on bottom
of' a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right
or obliquely "below," "under," or "on bottom of' the second feature, or just means
that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the second feature.
[0046] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "one
embodiment", "another example," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples,"
means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as
"in some embodiments," "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in another example,"
"in an example," "in a specific example," or "in some examples," in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
embodiments or examples.
[0047] Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit
the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in
the embodiments without departing from spirit, principles and scope of the present
disclosure.
1. A six-way directional valve comprising:
a valve body, defining a valve cavity therein, the valve cavity having a first side
wall and a second side wall disposed oppositely to each other, and the valve body
being provided with a first connecting pipe, a second connecting pipe, a third connecting
pipe, a fourth connecting pipe, a fifth connecting pipe and a sixth connecting pipe;
a valve spool, movably disposed in the valve cavity, wherein two valve chambers being
defined between two moving ends of the valve spool and an inner circumferential wall
of the valve cavity, so that the valve spool is driven to move by a pressure difference
between the two valve chambers, a first chamber is defined between the valve spool
and a first side wall, a second chamber is defined between the valve spool and a second
side wall, a third chamber is defined between the valve spool, the first side wall
and the second side wall, the first connecting pipe is normally communicated with
the first chamber, the second connecting pipe is normally communicated with the second
chamber, the valve spool moves so that one of the third connecting pipe and the fourth
connecting pipe is communicated with the first chamber and the other one is communicated
with the third chamber, and one of the fifth connecting pipe and the sixth connecting
pipe is communicated with the second chamber and the other one is communicated with
the third chamber; and
a pilot valve assembly, communicated with the two valve chambers, so as to switch
pressures in the two valve chambers.
2. The six-way directional valve according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting pipe,
the third connecting pipe and the fourth connecting pipe are disposed to the first
side wall, and the second connecting pipe, the fifth connecting pipe and the sixth
connecting pipe are disposed to the second side wall.
3. The six-way directional valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve spool comprises:
two barrier blocks spaced apart from each other, the two valve chambers being defined
between the two barrier blocks and the inner circumferential wall of the valve cavity
respectively; and
a sliding block, disposed between the two barrier blocks and connected to the two
barrier blocks through a connecting rod, the first chamber being defined between the
sliding block and the first side wall, the second chamber being defined between the
sliding block and the second side wall, and the third chamber being defined between
the sliding block, two connecting rods, the two barrier blocks and the inner circumferential
wall of the valve cavity.
4. The six-way directional valve according to claim 3, wherein the two barrier blocks,
the sliding block and the two connecting rods are configured as an integrally formed
member.
5. The six-way directional valve according to anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the valve
body has a circular cross section.
6. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, having an outdoor unit output port and an
outdoor unit input port, wherein the outdoor unit comprises:
a compressor, having an air exhaust port and an air return port;
the six-way directional valve according to anyone of claims 1-5, the first connecting
pipe being connected to the air exhaust port, the second connecting pipe being connected
to the air return port, the third connecting pipe being connected to the outdoor unit
output port, and the fifth connecting pipe being connected to the outdoor unit input
port; and
an outdoor heat exchanger, having two ends connected to the fourth connecting pipe
and the sixth connecting pipe respectively.
7. An air conditioner comprising the outdoor unit according to claim 6.